Hip pain can significantly impact daily activities, from walking or running to simply getting up from a chair. Let’s explore some common causes of hip pain and how osteopathic treatment may help manage these conditions.
Pain can arise from many structures in and around the hip joint. These include but are not limited to
- bony structures such as the pelvis and femur (thigh bone)
- the hip labrum
- tendons
- muscles
- ligaments
- bursa
- referred pain from other areas such as the low back or knee
Common Causes of Hip Pain:
- Muscle Strain and Tightness
- Overuse during exercise or daily activities
- Poor posture and prolonged sitting
- Muscle imbalances
- Tendon inflammation or tear
- Joint-Related Issues
- Osteoarthritis
- Bursitis
- Labral tears
- Joint stiffness
- Lifestyle Factors
- Sedentary behaviour
- Repetitive movements leading to overuse injuries such as inflammation of tendons or stress fracture
- Poor workplace ergonomics
- Changes in activity levels
How Osteopathic Treatment May Help with Hip Pain:
At Lower Plenty Osteopathy, our approach to hip pain involves:
- Comprehensive assessment
- Detailed examination of your hip, low back, knee, foot and ankle
- Analysis of movement patterns, in particular of the lower extremity to determine how this may be influencing your hip pain
- Investigation of contributing factors.
Treatment Options
Our osteopaths may use various techniques that may include:
- Joint articulation
- Soft tissue techniques
- Muscle energy techniques
- Exercise guidance including stretching and/or strengthening exercises
Management Strategies
We work with you to develop strategies that may help:
- Improve movement patterns
- Address contributing factors
- Implementation of lifestyle modifications to avoid re-injury
- Support your recovery journey
When to Seek Professional Help for Hip Pain:
Consider booking an appointment if you experience:
- Persistent hip pain
- Difficulty with daily activities
- Changes in your walking pattern
- Hip pain that affects your sleep or stops you from lying on your side
- Hip pain aggravated by exercise
At Lower Plenty Osteopathy, we believe in providing comprehensive care that best serves our patients’ needs. As part of our commitment to your health:
- Your osteopath will perform a thorough assessment to understand your condition
- Based on this assessment, we may identify when additional expertise could be beneficial.
- We maintain professional relationships with various healthcare providers in the Lower Plenty and surrounding areas
- When appropriate, we may suggest consulting with other healthcare professionals such as: your general practitioner, sports medicine physicians, podiatrists, exercise physiologists and other relevant healthcare practitioners
Further Investigation of your Hip Pain:
Sometimes, additional information may be needed to better understand your condition.
In such cases, your osteopath may recommend appropriate imaging. This may involve:
- A referral back to your GP for imaging requests.
- Direct referral for certain imaging where appropriate
- Any imaging results will be considered as part of your overall management plan
Professional Care at Lower Plenty Osteopathy:
Our experienced team of registered osteopaths at Lower Plenty Osteopathy provides evidence-informed care for hip pain. Located at 166 Main Road, Lower Plenty, we offer appointments Monday to Saturday, with HICAPS facilities available for on-the-spot health fund claims.
To book an appointment or learn more about how we may be able to help with your hip pain, contact us on 03 9439 5596.
Note: Every patient’s condition is unique, and treatment outcomes and management can vary. Your osteopath will discuss your specific case and develop an appropriate management plan during your consultation.
